BBA2106: Basics in Natural Science

(FBA)

Lecture

CELLS, PHOTOSYNTHESIS & RESPIRATION

Cells
The cell is one of the most basic units of life. There are millions of different types of cells.
There are cells that are organisms onto themselves, such as microscopic amoeba and bacteria
cells. And there are cells that only function when part of a larger organism, such as the cells
that make up your body.

The cell is the smallest unit of life in our body. In the body, there are brain cells, skin cells,
liver cells, stomach cells, and the list goes on. All of these cells have unique functions and
features. And all have some recognizable similarities.
Below is a labeled diagram of a cell to help you identify some of these structures.

Plasma membrane: All cells have a 'skin', called the plasma membrane, protecting it from
the outside environment. The cell membrane regulates the movement of water, nutrients and
wastes into and out of the cell. All the working parts of the cell are inside of the cell
membrane. They are:

Cells, Photosynthesis & Respiration (Updated on May 15, 2011)

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BBA2106: Basics in Natural Science

(FBA)

Lecture

Nucleus: Nucleus is present at the center of the cell. It contains the cell's DNA (the genetic
code that coordinates protein synthesis). The transcription phase of protein synthesis takes
places in the cell nucleus.
Ribosome: One important cellular organelle is the ribosome. It participates in protein
synthesis. After transcription phase is complete, RNA leaves the nucleus and travels to the
cell's ribosome, where translation occurs.
Mitochondrion: Another important cellular organelle is the mitochondrion. Mitochondria
are often referred to as the power plants of the cell because many of the reactions that
produce energy take place in mitochondria.
Lysosome: Lysosomes are organelles that contain enzymes that aid in the digestion of
nutrient molecules and other materials.
Plant Cell and Animal Cell
While both plant and animal cells contain the structures discussed above, there are some
differences between them. Plant cells have some additional specialized structures.
Many animals have skeletons to give their body structure and support. Plants do not have a
skeleton for support and yet plants don't just flop over in a big spongy mess. This is because
of a unique cellular structure called the cell wall. The cell wall is a rigid structure outside of
the cell membrane composed mainly of the polysaccharide cellulose.
In addition, plant cells contain an organelle called the chloroplast. The chloroplast allows
plants to harvest energy from sunlight. Specialized pigments in the chloroplast (including the
common green pigment chlorophyll) absorb sunlight and use this energy to complete the
chemical reaction:
6 CO2 + 6 H2O + energy (from sunlight)
C6H12O6 + 6 O2
Carbon dioxide + Water
Glucose + Oxygen
In this way, plant cells manufacture glucose and other carbohydrates that they can store for
later use.

Cells, Photosynthesis & Respiration (Updated on May 15, 2011)

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BBA2106: Basics in Natural Science

(FBA)

Lecture

Table-1: Some differences between animal cell and plant cell.

Organonelles
Shape
Plasma
membrane
Cell wall
Vacuole
Plastids
Lysosomes
Chloroplast

Animal Cell

Plant Cell

Round (irregular shape)

only cell membrane

Rectangular (fixed shape)

cell wall and a cell membrane

Absent
One or more small vacuoles (much
smaller than plant cells).
Absent
Lysosomes occur in cytoplasm.
Animal cells don't have chloroplasts

Present
One, large central vacuole taking up 90% of
cell volume.
Present
Lysosomes usually not evident.
Plant cells have chloroplasts because they
make their own food

Energy and Cell

All living organisms require energy to conduct the many functions necessary to sustain life.
The source of this energy for cells is the chemical bonds of food molecules that are collected
from the sun by plants. Cells can be thought of as chemical factories that conduct a variety of
chemical reactions.
Photosynthesis and Respiration
The process of converting sunlight energy to chemical-bond energy by the chloroplasts as
sugar molecules is photosynthesis. It is one of the major biochemical processes through
which plants produce food molecules such as carbohydrates for themselves as well as for all
the other organisms on earth. On the other hand respiration, a second major biochemical
process made by mitochondria, during which cells release the chemical-bond energy from
food and supply to the cells into usable forms.
C6H12O6

6O2

6CO2

6H2O

36ATP

glucose

oxygen

carbon
dioxide

water

energy

Aerobic cellular respiration

This cycle of photosynthesis and respiration maintains the balance of carbon dioxide and
oxygen on earth.

Cells, Photosynthesis & Respiration (Updated on May 15, 2011)

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BBA2106: Basics in Natural Science

(FBA)

Lecture

Table-2: Differences between photosynthesis and respiration at a glance.

Photosynthesis
Occurs in the presence of light (and chlorophyll in
plant cells).
Requires energy (light) to make sugar (glucose).
Complex substances (sugar) are formed from simpler
ones (carbon dioxide and water).
Carbon dioxide and water are the raw materials.
Oxygen is given out.

Respiration
Occurs at all times in cells.
Releases energy from sugar.
Complex substances (sugar) are broken down into
simpler ones (carbon dioxide and water).
Carbon dioxide and water are the waste products.
Oxygen is taken in.

Questions:
1. What is cell? Name different important parts of a cell.
2. Draw the picture an animal cell and label different parts in it..
3. What are the differences between plant cell and animal cell?
4. Describe the functions of chloroplast, cell wall, ribosome, mitochondrion etc.
5. Draw the picture of a plant cell and label different parts in it.
6. Discuss the importance of photosynthesis and respiration.
7. What are photosynthesis and respiration?
8. Write the difference between photosynthesis and respiration at a glance.

Cells, Photosynthesis & Respiration (Updated on May 15, 2011)

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